Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, formerly Children's Memorial Hospital, is the largest pediatric provider in the region. The world's tallest children's hospital is located in downtown Chicago on the campus of its academic partner, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
The nonprofit children's hospital stands out for its consistently high rankings in quality and patient satisfaction, and is a leader in research, education and advocacy for the well-being of children.
Here are 10 things to know about Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital.
1. Hospital opening: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital opened in June 2012. The opening of the new facility was made possible by one of the largest children's hospital gifts in U.S. history, according to Crain's Chicago Business. Chicago philanthropist Ann Lurie, 62, donated $100 million to Children's Memorial Hospital in 2007. Robert Lurie, her husband, died of cancer at the age of 48 in 1990. According to Crain's, of her donation, $80 million was for construction and $20 million was directed toward research.
Many dignitaries attended a massive ribbon-cutting ceremony on the hospital's grounds, including U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D).
"It's a proud day for Chicago and a great day for American families and the Midwest," Sen. Durbin told NBC Chicago at the ceremony.
2. Lurie Children's history: The history of Lurie Children's Hospital goes back 133 years. Children's Memorial Hospital was founded in 1882 by Julia Foster Porter after her 13-year-old son died, according to the Chicago Tribune. The original hospital — then known as the Maurice Porter Memorial Hospital — was a cottage that housed eight beds.
3. Leadership and fast facts: Patrick M. Magoon, former CEO of Children's Memorial Hospital, has served as Lurie Children's president and CEO since its opening.
The $855 million facility is the tallest children's hospital in the world with 23 stories and 288 hospital beds. In 2014 there were 10,997 admissions, 512,625 outpatient visits, 61,767 emergency department visits and 4,926 inpatient surgeries, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Lurie Children's medical staff includes 1,245 physicians in 70 pediatric specialties.
4. Rankings: Lurie Children's boasts some of the highest ranking pediatric specialties in the country. According to U.S. News & World Report's 2014-15 "Best Children's Hospitals" list, the hospital is No. 2 in gastroenterology and GI surgery, No. 4 in neurology and neurosurgery, No. 5 in urology, No. 6 in cancer and No. 9 in nephrology, in addition to high rankings in numerous other specialties. According to the hospital website, Lurie Children's was the only hospital in Illinois ranked in all 10 specialties.
5. Awards: The children's hospital has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards since its opening. In 2014, it was one of just 12 hospitals nationally to receive the Honor Roll award by U.S. News & World Report. Lurie Children's was also ranked 10th in the country among pediatric hospitals and 8th for cancer care by Parents magazine in 2013. In 2012, Lurie Children's was re-designated with Magnet-accreditation. It had earned Magnet credentialing twice before as Memorial Children's Hospital. Additionally, the hospital was a Joint Commission Top Performer in 2011 and 2012.
Other unique awards and recognitions for the hospital include Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality by The Human Rights Campaign, Top 30 Nurse-Friendly U.S. Hospitals by TopRNtoBSN.com, HAVE Volunteer Award by the American Hospital Association for volunteer excellence, among others.
6. The patient experience: To measure patient satisfaction, Lurie Children's has worked with NRC Picker, an outside survey group, since 2012. In 2013, the year with the most recent data, 88.5 percent of families said they would recommend the ED to family and friends; 89.9 percent said they would recommend the inpatient services; 86.9 said they would recommend outpatient services; and 92.8 said they would recommend the hospital's surgical services.
The hospital has also created a Family Advisory Board and Kids' Advisory Board to gain additional feedback. Based on patients' and families' input from these boards, Lurie Children's has made numerous improvements, including implementing room service; expanding clinical services at outpatient centers; helping families better prepare to leave the hospital; and facility improvements.
7. Partnerships and affiliations: The hospital has several partnerships and affiliations. One affiliation, Almost Home Kids, offers care to Lurie Children's patients with complicated health needs by providing short-term transitional care in a home-like setting, family training and respite care. Lurie Children's also joined the Partnership for a Healthier America, which commits to provide healthier patient meals, as well as increased food and beverage options in the cafeteria that meet specific nutritional standards.
The hospital's partnerships include the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Prentice Women's Hospital and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, which was ranked 18th by U.S. News & World Report as a top research-oriented medical school, 11th in women's health and 14th in pediatrics.
8. Pediatric research: Lurie Children's research arm — Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute — is a designated Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine research center and plays a central role in the university's integrated research program, according to the Lurie Children's website. Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute was established in 1986. It has more than 200 investigators, 500 staff members and 100 trainees who contribute to six growing programs in basic research and translational medicine.
9. Family services: The children's hospital offers services that go beyond diagnoses and treatment of pediatric illness. Families of patients have numerous opportunities to seek counseling and support and participate in programs at the hospital. These include art therapists, child life specialists, social workers, the Beads of Courage program, Get Well Network and more.
10. Community support: Various Chicago organizations and Chicagoans have made news for their fundraising efforts for Lurie Children's. For example, according to ABC Eyewitness News, as a part of Chicago Restaurant Week from Jan. 30 to Feb.12, Level Two restaurant — on the second floor of Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile — offered a prix fixe lunch menu, of which 50 percent of the proceeds went to the hospital. According to CBS Chicago, in January, more than 2,500 people climbed the 1,643 steps to the top of the Aon Center to benefit Lurie Children's, with some participants even completing the challenge twice.
Among other community fundraising efforts, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital is the beneficiary of Chicago Dance Marathon, an annual event where participants form teams, fundraise and come together to dance or stand for 13.1 hours. This year's event took place Feb. 21. Nearly 450 dancers were present at the marathon, along with several of Lurie Children's patients and their families. Dance Marathon raised more than $363,600 by the time the event ended, and donations can still be made to benefit the hospital by clicking here.
Becker's Healthcare has been a sponsor of the event for the past six years. This year, our team raised $25,000 and was the third largest donor, following Solstice Mobile, a technology company, and LaSalle Network, a temporary staffing and recruiting service.
"We are thrilled to be able to support Lurie Children's and Chicago Dance Marathon financially, but also to have the opportunity for our team to participate in the day-long event. It truly means so much to the families that are touched by the hospital," says Jessica Cole, president and CEO of Becker's Healthcare and a regular team leader at the annual event. "With more than 174,000 families going through Lurie Children's on an annual basis, we are proud we can support such a great cause right in our backyard."